Acceptance of ecosan concepts in Tanzania - a case study of piloting ecological sanitation Majumbasita Dar Es Salaam *

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1 Acceptance of ecosan concepts in Tanzania - a case study of piloting ecological sanitation Majumbasita Dar Es Salaam * Alfred J. Shayo EEPCO P.O. Box 7018, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania shayoalf@excite.com Keywords Household, groundwater pollution, urine diversion, unplanned settlements Abstract Piloting Ecological Sanitation at Majumbasita Dar Es Salaam Tanzania particularly aimed to adapt Ecological Sanitation (EcoSan) as an option in combating sanitation problems in the country by recovering and recycling to the maximum extent the resources present in human excreta. EcoSan technology has drawn attention to many Majumbasita dwellers, international organizations, government line ministries, individuals and other stakeholders following construction of 95 EcoSan Latrine units in household level and 6 stances School latrine in the project area. Two types of urine diversion toilets have been applied, the seat pan and squatting pan, the later being more preferred to the community. This paper provides insights and lessons learned from a piloting ecological sanitation project in Tanzania since November It includes findings of review as conducted to assess the operation and socio cultural pertaining the technology. It shows to what extent the EcoSan is accepted in Tanzania. In addition, the paper explored community reactions towards the recycle of nutrients from human excreta and research on the recyclable nutrients. Public acceptability is promising following the PHAST (Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation) methodology carried out at all stages of project implementation. Introduction Unplanned settlements have kept increasing in many Tanzanian towns, and there is no immediate plan to improve them. The problems of diarrhea and other faecal related diseases remain highly endemic despite enormous efforts over the past few decades to control them. The situation is even worse than sanitation coverage statistics depicts. Coverage of sanitation facilities in Dar es Salaam (with 2,497,940 million inhabitants, which is 7.2% of the total National population) revealed that 79% of the inhabitant s uses pit latrines, 9% septic tanks and 12% uses conventional system Mato (2002). Although a bigger number of people have access to some form of latrine, vast amounts of improperly managed faeces and untreated sewage contaminate the living environment. According to Haskoning and M Cons ult (1998) 50% of the pollution produced at domestic level per capita per day in Dar es Salaam was estimated to be received by pit latrines that have a pollution load to groundwater in kg/day estimated to be Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) 5 15,282; Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) 16,131; Suspended Solids (SS) 6,116; Dissolved Solids (DS) 97,857; Total Nitrogen 4,829 and total Potassium 915. The groundwater finally is a * This paper has been peer reviewed by the symposium scientific committe e Shayo 245

2 source of water supply for domestic and industrial uses. The water users may suffer the consequences from the pollution. Conventional forms of centralized and individual sanitation systems are not sustainable solution to sanitation problems in the country. In Dar Es Salaam City domestic sewage is collected by a sewerage system that was first constructed in the 1950 s. The system serves only about 12% of the residents. The major part of the Dar es Salaam residents about 88% use on-site sanitation allowing its effluent to percolate into the soil representing a potential source of groundwater contami nation, which is an alternative source of water supply for the residents. According to Mato (2002) Piped water system in Dar es Salaam supplies only about 50% of the demand and groundwater is the alternative source. The groundwater is used to augment piped supply and more than 36 deep boreholes drilled in the city are directly (without treatment) connected to the main water system. In addition, residents in the city dugs and drills shallow and deep wells respectively to supplement the water supply in their respective residences. Environmental Engineering and Pollution Control Organization (EEPCO) a Tanzanian Non Governmental organization recognized an urgent need to look for human excreta disposal option in the country that will protect the environment. EEPCO supported by UNICEF Tanzania pioneered and implemented a piloting project for ecological sanitation at Majumbasita Peri-urban area in Tanzania since November Ecological Sanitation is a system that makes use of human waste and turns it into something useful and valuable, with minimum pollution of the Environment. In essence it consists of using latrines, which are safe and ecologically sound and designed in such a way the end products can be easily transferred into agriculture or forestry (Morgan, 1999). Pilot area The piloting Ecological Sanitation Project in Tanzania have been implemented by EEPCO in unplanned settlements at the Peri-urban part of Dar Es Salaam called Majumbasita in Kipawa ward in Ilala District. 23,000 people inhabit the area. The piped water supply from the city network suppliers only a small proportion of the inhabitants, and the supply is intermittent. Many people (85%). depend on well water. The quality of the well water is doubtful. According to Chaggu and John (2002), E-Coli count for samples from boreholes with depths 1.8metres and 6.5metres were 3000 FC/100mil and 178FC/100mil respectively. The pollution is definitely due to seepage from pit latrines and septic tanks. These conditions have resulted into breakout of cholera and other faecal related diseases mostly during rain seasons. Sanitation prospects The communities in the project area keep their home environment clean, use water for anal cleansing and use the latrines. Latrine coverage in the area is high. However, most of the latrines are traditional pit latrines lacking privacy, door, and roof, and characterized with poor dirty squatting slabs. In addition are characterized with high water table, worst during rain seasons. Latrines are dug mostly shallow, because of: high water table and sandy/collapsible soil. The pits are mostly lined by sand: cement blocks. The community uses ground water/well water as a reliable source of water supply in the area. 246 Shayo

3 Community reactions 1 EcoSan concept has attracted many people. This is because, they found it to have positive elements for their living environment, and people proved it to be permanent latrine by having a durable vault and a standby one (being a double vault is an added advantage to the users) for use when the fist one is full. The community welcomed the EcoSan as a solution to latrines construction in their premises because of permanency, simplicity, durable, affordable, environmentally friendly and hygienically safe relative to traditional normal pit latrine. Reuse of nutrients was also a positive element of the facilities. Project activities Main activities inputs to the piloting project include, community awareness creation and sensitization regarding sanitation improvement and introduction of EcoSan concept. This was achieved mostly by using Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST) methodology. Another activity was recruitment of local masons to be well acquainted with theoretical and practical aspects of EcoSan latrine technology, so that they will be resource persons in the community to sustain the project. Construction of EcoSan latrines was another major activity where by 95 units (double vault, urine diversion) were constructed in household (hh) level and 6 stances in school. Monitoring and evaluation is the other major and important activity in this project to measure project acceptability and sustainability. To accomplish the activities some stakeholders were involved from the start of the project including the implementing agency (IA) EEPCO, UNICEF, local governments, community etc. Main activities of the project, and achievements are discussed in the following sections. PHAST training for CORPs (Community Owned Resource personnel) PHAST is one of the best working Participatory approach methodologies to address water, sanitation, hygiene, behavior and attitude change (PHAST training guidelines, 1998). The hygiene and sanitation promotion processes focuses on the linkages between water, sanitation, hygiene and health in the areas of personal hygiene and its related water uses; safe and unsafe water; waterborne and excreta related diseases; environmental cleanliness; food handling and storage; specific behaviors such as hand washing practices; and latrine use and maintenance. The project IA recognized the importance of applying PHAST methodology in implementing the project. To make sure the PHAST methodology is equipped to the community in a sustainable manner, some members of the community were trained to be PHAST CORPs in their area; and expected to train other people in the area. National PHAST trainers for a period of 10 days trained 22 PHAST CORPs equipping them with capacity to impart PHAST knowledge to other inhabitants in the area. Furthermore, the CORPs had one month in job training supervise d by national PHAST Trainers. The PHAST CORPs has formed a community group aiming in facilitating community PHAST meetings in the area. Training of masons/artisans During the training the exercise of recruiting and imparting EcoSan concepts to local masons was successfully done.12 masons have acquired EcoSan technical skills, and participate in 1 These reactions of communities were collected during PHAST facilitation in community level. They are important towards the successes of the lessons learned because it will help in spreading the technology to reach and benefit more people quicker. Shayo 247

4 building the mentioned 95 EcoSan units in hh level and 6 stances in school. Methods used were lectures and lot of practices. EcoSan construction activities Construction activities for the 95hh units were carried out successfully and in time. Generally the community acceptability of the project, their contribution and commitment in the construction activities was high and encouraging. This is due to the learnt positive benefits of EcoSan toilet including conserving the environment and water. Construction materials The design criteria for selecting construction materials for EcoSan were suggested which takes into consideration the following: - Locally available, easily applied, Affordable and durable. With these in mind it was suggested that sand: cement blocks to be used in building the substructure. For superstructure the following materials were suggested to be appropriate for making the walls: sand: cement blocks, new or used/old iron sheets/tins, timber, thatch etc depending on what the household can afford, and provide privacy for the latrine users. For roofing, new or used/old iron sheets/tins and thatch were suggested. Timber, new or used/old iron sheets/tins and thatch were suggested for making a latrine door (figure 1.). Masonry Thatch Used/old iron sheets Figure 1: EcoSan latrines - superstructures by different construction materials Majumbasita DSM. (Photos by EEPCO 2002) Estimate cost for EcoSan latrine Constructions of EcoSan latrines in hh level were done in cost sharing between project and hh as indicated in the table below. 248 Shayo

5 Item Project contribution US$ HH/community contribution US$ All materials for Substructure Skilled Labor costs for substructure Casual Labor costs for substructure 3 3 Construction site and water Materials for Superstructure- walls and door Not valued Variable. Total US$ Maximum Roofing materials Vent pipe 6 6 All Labor costs for superstructure Total Percentage % Table 1: Cost for one unit double vault HH EcoSan latrine EcoSan Pans - types and user s choices 3 A Survey conducted in the 43 households with EcoSan latrines 19(44.2%) prefers seating pan (figure 2b.) in their toilet and 24(55.8%) prefer squatting pan (figure 2a.). Among 95 households using EcoSan latrines 34 (35.8%) have seating EcoSan pans while 61(64.2%) has squatting EcoSan pans. Choices by families reveal that more people in the project area prefer squatting pans than seating ones. Figure 2a: EcoSan latrine installed with squatting pan (EEPCO 2002) Figure 2b: EcoSan latrine installed with seating pan (EEPCO 2002) Ecological gardens Study gardens have been established at Karakata primary school field and at individual households for trial purposes of recycling nutrients from EcoSan latrines. The plants in the gardens include eggplants, ba nana trees, cassava plants etc. For comparison purposes the gardens have been divided into two similar portions. Urine was applied to only one portion to 2 Costs for superstructure varies depending on the materials used for construction. The maximum cost in the project area is where sand: cement blocks were used for superstructure construction. 3 EcoSan Pans are locally prefabricated using sand and cement for seating pan and aggregate for squatting pan, to be installed in EcoSan latrines. Shayo 249

6 determine the efficiency of urine as a fertilizer. Ecosan toilets - users practice The project management assisted by community PHAST group has carried a survey to the first constructed EcoSan latrines in 44 households in the project area. The survey took place between 27 November 2001 and 30 November 2001, to study users practice and behaviour change among EcoSan latrine users and find some problems encountered in using the latrines. Below are the results and discussions. HH with EcoSan latrine surveyed Latrines in use Latrines not in use 4 Latrines used in very good practice Latrines used in good practice No % Table 2: Latrines used in poor/bad practice HH survey results for EcoSan latrine - users practice (source: EEPCO final report for pilot project 2002) Among the 28 hh using EcoSan latrines 21 hh (75%) said there is no problems in using the latrine. The remaining 9 hh (25%) has reported some problems such as smell, difficulty in urine separation, dislike of seating pan (especially houses with many user including tenants) and difficulties in washing seating pan. The project management with the users has solved the problems through participatory leaning and experiences from earliest users. It was evident from experience that after people have become familiar with these systems, no flies or smells occur, and others opt to install them inside or adjacent their homes, and most of their initial reservations have gone. As a result, the number of EcoSan latrine users increases, and many has left their old pit latrine, and many have started reusing urine in gardens/plants as soil conditioner. (Charts below) Table below illustrate the number and percentage of EcoSan latrine users reusing urine in gardens/plants. HH with EcoSan latrine surveyed Latrines in use Latrines not in use HH using urine in gardens/plants HH not using urine in gardens/plants No % Table 3: HH survey results - urine use in gardens/plants (source: EEPCO final report for pilot project 2002) Figure 4 reveals 76% of the total residents in the hhs with EcoSan latrines has left their old latrines, and start using EcoSan latrine. The number of EcoSan latrine users in the hhs increases with time, depending on the experiences and knowledge given to the hhs occupants by the project management and earliest users. 4 Latrines that are not in use were still under construction in the time of the survey. 250 Shayo

7 EcoSan and other Latrines uses 9% Ecosan Users 6% 9% 27% MALE Ecosan Users FEMALE Ecosan Users CHILDREN Pit Latrine Users 22% MALE Pit Latrine Users 27% FEMALE Pit Latrine Users CHILDREN Figure 4: EcoSan and other latrines usage Figure 5 Shows that 46% of hhs using EcoSan latrine has ongoing reusing urine as a soluble fertilizer in their gardens/plants, and the number is increasing with time depending on the experiences and knowledge given to the hhs occupants by the project management and earliest users. 54% reusing urine as soil Fertilizer 46% Hh using urine in gardens/plants Hh not using urine in gardens/plants Figure 5: Using urine as soil fertilizer Research & laboratory analyses 5 A research that included Laboratory analyses and field-testing of urine and dry sludge were carried in the department of Civil Engineering department, Water Section in the University of Dar Es Salaam. Analyses were supposed to be done in both urine and faeces for nutrient levels faecal pollution and heavy metal contents. The main reason being to observe that the excreta had or had no any nutrient to support plant life as fertilizer or soil conditioner and to check the level of contamination by both faecal and/or heavy metals. Due to time and resources constraints only few Solid Faeces samples were taken on 4 th December 2001 for analysis to obtain baseline data that will be compared with the data to be obtained from Sanitized faecal matter, to be analyzed when the latrines are filled and covered to allow complete sanitized. In addition analysis for heavy metals was dropped. Enough urine samples were taken and analyzed from 4 th December 2001 to 26 th February The summary of results is given n the table below. 5 Research was very important to determine levels of nutrients in both urine and sanitize d faecal matter. Shayo 251

8 Sampling pt ph COD TSS Nitrate Nitrite TKN 6 Phosphorus Potassium Faecal Coliform (No/100 ml) , , Table 4: Total Coliform (No/100 ml) Table of results for urine samples (Source: EEPCO & University of Dar es Salaam research report 2002) 7 Faecal & total coliform levels in urine Research results revealed that, the urine samples contained a few number of faecal coliform and total coliforms. The microorganisms definitely originates from faecal matter, and is caused by the latrine users unexpectedly. However, the highest number of faecal coliforms found in one sample was 190 No/100ml is allowable for irrigation when compared to receiving water standards category 3 (maximum permissible concentration is 250 No/100ml). However, effort is required to prevent any possible ways, which allows the microorganisms to emerge and contaminate the urine. There is need of continued advocacy to assist the users on how to use the latrines better for improved health. In addition further research is require to see improvements in controlling the cross contamination. 6 TNK = Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (Sum of Organic Nitrogen and Ammonium and Ammonia Nitrogen). Total Nitrogen (TN) = TKN +Nitrite (N)+Nitrate (N) 7 Source: Joint research report between EEPCO and University of Dar Es Salaam 252 Shayo

9 Feacal Coliform & Total coliform levels in Urine Values Sampling points Faecal Coliform (No/100 ml) Total Coliform (No/100 ml) Figure 6: Faecal Coliform & Total Coliform levels in urine NPK values According to Johnson (2002), kg of faeces is produced per person per year; which contain up to 0.55 kg of Nitrogen, 0.18 kg of Phosphorus and 0.37 kg of Potassium. Furthermore, an adult may produce ~400 liters of urine per year containing 4.0 kg of nitrogen, 0.4 kg of phosphorus and 0.9 kg of potassium. Taking these figures into consideration, it means that, in Majumbasita per annum, they will produce 550 x x 10 3 kg of faeces with 88 x 10 3 kg of N, 8.8 x 10 3 kg of phosphorus and 19.8 x 10 3 kg of potassium. Comparing to the data obtained it is suggested that there is a great potential in "human waste". Values NPK Values in Urine Nitrate Nitrite Phosphoru s Samling points Potassium Figure 7: NPK Values in urine 8 Future plan EEPCO is aiming to spread of the technology in Tanzania. Initially, EEPCO in its action plan has included EcoSan promotion activities in Tanzania including: Follow up activity for the piloting project in Majumbasita Dar Es Salaam, promotion in schools, Organize National Workshop on Ecological Sanitation, Continuation of research on urine and sanitized faecal matter and promotion activities Mara region, Mwanza City (lake zone) and Hai District in Kilimanjaro region. 8 NPK = Nitrogen + Phosphorus + Ammonium Shayo 253

10 Conclusion Ecological Sanitation toilets are very suitable for the Tanzanian environment especially in urban and peri-urban areas experiencing high water table problems, rocky and collapsible soil. Acceptability of the technology in Majumbasita Dar Es Salaam is promising, and people s uncertainties about EcoSan toilets faded away when they observe workable EcoSan latrines in their area. The pilot project was therefore vital in introducing EcoSan technology in Tanzania. Communal acceptability, affordability, and political determination are very important in promoting EcoSan technology in Tanzania. Community involvement from the beginning onwards using Participatory approaches such, as PHAST methodology is fundamental for the success of EcoSan technology. References Chaggu and John. (2002), Ecological Sanitation in Tanzania A paper presented in the 3 rd International Conference on Integrated Environmental Management in Southern Africa Johannesburg pp. 6. EEPCO. (2002), Piloting Ecological Sanitation Majumbasita Final Report. Unpublished. EEPCO and University of Dar es Salaam (2002), Report on EcoSan research in Dar es Salaam pp Unpublished. Haskoning and M Consult (1989), Study on Solid Waste Management and Pollution Caused by Sewerage Systems in Dar es Salaam. Unpublished Johnson (2002), Ecological Sanitation Separation/Diversion of Urine. Lecture Handout Kabale Uganda Ministry Of Health (MoH) Tanzania. (1998), PHAST Training Guidelines. Unpublished. Morgan, P. (1999), Ecological Sanitation in Zimbabwe. - A compilation of manuals and Experiences. pp. i- iii. Mato, R. (2002), Groundwater pollution in Urban Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania Assessing Vulnerability and Protection Priorities PhD Thesis, Eindhoven University of Technology the Netherlands. pp. iii, pp Shayo